PSY7073 - Psychology Research Methods

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

Demonstrate a range of skills and methods for the investigation of human behaviour and experience.

Generate hypotheses and research questions before identifying and implementing the most effective and appropriate method for their exploration.

Design and conduct research studies in psychology using a range of quantitative and qualitative methods, either individually or in collaboration with others.

Critically and comprehensively understand the ethical issues that might arise during research and address these.

Collect, analyse and interpret data using a range of statistical and qualitative methods.

Present and evaluate research findings in effective fashion, using prescribed formats of scientific writing so as to best disseminate those findings to others.

Content:

Introduction to psychological research methods including quantitative and qualitative approaches. The scientific method and critical evaluation of scientific traditions in psychology. Ethical issues in psychological research. Formulating research questions and hypotheses. Hypothesis testing. Experimental and non-experimental methods reflecting different designs.

Descriptive statistics, including measures of central tendency and dispersion. Frequency distributions and sampling. One and two-tailed statistical tests, Type I and Type II errors, effect size, power and confidence intervals. Tests of differences (e.g. t tests and analysis of variance) and tests of association (e.g. correlation, and multiple regression). Multivariate methods, including MANOVA and ANCOVA. The use of SPSS to perform a range of analyses.

Qualitative approaches and methods, including thematic analysis, Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, Discourse Analysis.

Reporting and evaluating research findings. The module will emphasise the importance of data analysis and dissemination and the ways in which effective research can further the cause of charities and other organisations.

Learning and Teaching Information:

The module will employ a range of methods, including lectures and practical sessions. Students will work in groups to design and conduct small-scale research studies, and will analyse data sets using SPSS in order to become proficient in its use. The emphasis will be on active, collaborative and student-led learning. Students will learn how to undertake some of the statistical analyses through self-directed learning, supported by materials provided on the VLE.

Lectures
Hours: 20
Intended Group Size: Cohort

Practicals
Hours: 40
Intended Group Size: Cohort

Guided independent study
Hours: 240

Further details relating to assessment
The portfolio consists of a set of activities undertaken throughout the module. These activities will include consideration of research ethics, experimental design and partial write-ups. All are designed to prepare the student for the MSc Thesis (Journal Format).

Other relevant matters
In order to ensure that all students meet Objective 3 (Design and conduct research studies in psychology using a range of quantitative and qualitative methods, either individually or in collaboration with others), it is a requirement that students actively participate in the practical sessions of the module, particularly with regard to the design of studies and the collection and reporting of data. Each element of practical work undertaken must be accompanied by students securing ethical approval for their study. By completing and signing the ethics form, students undertake to conduct research ethically and professionally, and this includes safeguarding data.

Consequently, students who have not participated in practical work and who have not, as a result, been a signatory to an ethics form that has received ethical approval will not be eligible to submit an assignment that is related to that piece of practical work. Students in this situation will be required to devise an equivalent piece of practical work, including gaining ethical approval, before being permitted to submit the related written report during the resit period.

Assessment:

001 Portfolio; 3,500 words; mid-semester 1 60%
002 Report; 2,500 words; end of semester 1 40%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - James Jackson
Level - 7
Credit Value - 30
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 7PGS1

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